Enter your keyword

Travel Guide Budget and Itinerary for Venice

I was excited to finally visit Venice after only reading about it in books and online. I took the overnight train from Salzburg with a quick stop in Padua before taking another train to Venice.


Venice The Wandering Juan


Venice is a historic city I didn't want to miss visiting during my trip around Europe.



Travel Guide Budget and Itinerary for Venice


Venice The Wandering Juan


I've only read about Venice and when I had the chance to finally visit it, I just went. The city was the capital of the Republic of Venice for more than a thousand years. The republic was a financial and economic hub, and a maritime power during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. It was a vital trade hub where many goods passed from different corners of the world. A huge chunk of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its cultural and historical importance. However, the city is slowly sinking and the excessive number of tourists coming and going has taken its toll. Despite these, Venice is still a worthwhile destination in Italy.



Getting a Visa

If you get a Schengen visa from any of its member states, you can enter Italy. I got visas from Austria, Czechia, and Poland. You can include Italy as a part of a longer trip around Europe. 


Read more: how to get a Schengen visa for Filipinos




How to Get to Venice

Venice is such a popular destination, it's easy to get in and out of it. Depending on your budget and itinerary for Venice, you can travel by plane or by train or bus from major cities.


By Plane

Venice Marco Polo Airport is where you'll arrive if you go to Venice by plane. There are frequent flights to and from Venice whether you're on an international or domestic flight. You can take the public buses and water transport to reach the city center and your accommodation. You can also hire a private boat. Just follow the signs that lead you to your chosen mode of transport.


By Land

You can travel by bus or train from many cities in Italy to Venice. I prefer traveling by train than by bus. Consider buying your tickets early to get them at a lower price. You can check out www.trenitalia.com for prices and schedules. Flixbus is also an option worth considering. OBB is another choice if you're traveling from Austria and other countries from Central Europe. I took the overnight train from Salzburg, but I had to transfer once at Padua before getting to Venice.




Things Do in Venice

When planning your budget and itinerary for Venice, you can easily include several attractions and activities. Some of the main attractions are accessible on foot. You don't have to spend too much on water transportation, unless you want to experience it. 


Here are some of the things to do in Venice.



St. Mark's Basilica


St. Mark's Basilica The Wandering Juan


Campanile The Wandering Juan


St. Mark's Basilica The Wandering Juan



St. Mark's Basilica The Wandering Juan



St. Mark's Basilica is one of the most well-known churches in Italy. It used to be the private chapel of the Doge. You'll see mosaic pictures all over the exterior and interior of the church. There are also mnay Byzantine era art as you walk inside. These were booty taken from the fall of Constantinople. Outside St. Mark's is the Campanile. Built in 1153, the original tower used to be a lighthouse. It collapsed into the square in the early 1900s and was soon after rebuilt.


Fees: It's free to enter the church but you have to pay extra to enter certain sections. 

  • San Marco Museums - €5
  • Pala d'oro - €2
  • Treasury - €3
  • Bell tower (Campanile) - €10 


*St. Mark's Basilica is one of the most popular attractions in Venice. Expect long lines regardless of the season. I was lucky enough to not wait longer than 30 minutes because it was during the low season. Consider making this your first stop in the morning when visiting Venice.



Piazza San Marco


Piazza San Marco The Wandering Juan



St. Mark's Square is a popular spot for those visiting Venice. Here you'll find St. Mark's Basilica and the Campanile, the Clock Tower, and many cafes and shops. It's a common meet-up point for friends and tours around the old town. 



Doge Palace


Doge Palace The Wandering Juan



The Doge Palace is one of the attention-grabbing buildings in Venice. It's a few meters away form another piece of beautiful architecture, St. Mark's Basilica. The palace is centuries old and has undergone numerous reconstructions and style changes. Inside you'll find priceless works of art and treasures.


Fee: €32.50




Bridge of Sighs


Bridge of Sighs The Wandering Juan



This bridge connect the new prison building and the Doge Palace. It was contructed in 1600 to allow the movement of prisoners to and from the palace. 



Clock Tower


Venice The Wandering Juan


Not too far from St. Mark's Basilica, the Clock Tower is another Venetian Renaissance architectural icon. The tower dates to the 15th century and has elaborate exterior decorations such as a mosaic of gold stars and St. Mark's winged lion. 



Grand Canal


Venice Grand Canal The Wandering Juan



The Grand Canal connects St. Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge, and other important parts of the city to each other. It provides beautiful views of the city. It used to be the location of choice of Venice's most powerful and influential people. The area is a popular place for boat tours while in Venice. 





Rialto Bridge


Rialto Bridge The Wandering Juan



The bridge dates to 1588 and crosses the Grand Canal. It provides visitors with beautiful views of Venice. It replaced a wooden bridge that collapsed centuries ago. On both sides of the bridge, you'll find many shops, restaurants, and cafes. 



Scuola Grande di San Rocco


Scuola Grande di San Rocco The Wandering Juan



Scuola Grande di San Rocco The Wandering Juan


This beautiful marble building immediately caught my eye when I passed it. I was curious enough to pay the entrance fee and take a look inside. The works of art inside were worth the price of admission. The Venetian artist Tintoretto made several of the paintings you'll see inside. 


Fee: €10


Other places you might want to visit in Venice include:

  • Peggy Guggenheim Collection - €16
  • Gallerie Accademia Venezia - €12
  • Murano and Burano
  • Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari - €5

Despite the touristy feel of Venice (droves of people were in the old town even during low season) and the expensive nature of pretty much everything, I found Venice a beautiful and charming city. It's oozing with history and there's plenty of pretty buildings and views. I spent several hours just walking in and out of its districts.


Venice The Wandering Juan



Venice The Wandering Juan



Venice The Wandering Juan



Venice The Wandering Juan



Venice The Wandering Juan



Venice The Wandering Juan



Venice The Wandering Juan



Venice The Wandering Juan



I enjoyed my brief interlude in Venice and would recommend visiting the city at least once in your life (if you have the chance). 



Get around Venice

The cheapest way to explore Venice is on foot. It's possible to see many of the old town's highlights on foot. There are bridges connecting different areas. I mostly walked around because taking the gondolas and even the water buses were quite expensive. You'll have to use a boat if you want to venture out to other destinations in Venice. You can also board a vaporetto (water bus) to reach other places. The fare is around €7. Consider purchasing an ACTV Tourist Travel Card if you prefer taking public transportation. You can get a one-day card for €20, €30 for two days, €40 for three days, and €60 for seven days. The traditional (and romantic) way to travel around Venice is by gondola. The price for a 30-minute ride is €80. It costs more if you want a ride at night and if you want the gondolier to sing and/or play an instrument. You can save money when you plan your budget and itinerary for Venice if you consider buying one of the mentioned cards.



Where to Stay in Venice

Venice is one of the most expensive places I visited in Europe. Staying in the old town costs a lot of money, even if you're staying in a hostel dorm. I decided to stay in Mestre instead, which was a short train ride away. I stayed in Anda Venice Hostel. You have plenty of options when it comes to accommodation in Venice. I often check www.booking.com for places to stay.


728*90




Budget for Venice

Venice is one of the most expensive places I've been to. Prices are high once you get into the old town that's why I stayed in Mestre (Anda Hostel) and just took the train in and out of the old town. I spent around €90 a day for my budget and itinerary for Venice. With that budget, I stayed in a hostel dorm, ate out a few times (the most affordable options available), went into a few paid attractions, walked most of the time, it covered the train I took to Florence, and took public transportation. It also helped that I traveled during low season, expect much higher prices in the summer. You could definitely spend less or more depending on your overall budget and style. 


You might want to read my other posts for Europe



Itinerary for Venice

You could see a lot in one day in Venice, but most people spend at least two days in the city.


Here's a sample itinerary you might want to customize for a Venice on a budget trip:


Day 1

St. Mark's Basilica

St. Mark's Square

Clock Tower

Grand Canal

Rialto Bridge

Scuola Grande di San Rocco


Day 2

Doge Palace

Bridge of Sighs

Murano and Burano


St. Mark's Square and Cathedral are close to the Doge Palace, but if you plan on entering both of them, it's better to split the two attractions between two days. Doing so means you don't waste time standing in line and walking around a museum. This allows you to see more of Venice's beautiful neighborhoods. You can maximize your day by starting as early as possible to be one of the first few in line for attractions like the Doge Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. 




No comments:

Post a Comment

Recommended

Tags